A BIRTHDAY

Well, well.  It was one year ago today on Friday the 13th (Isn't THAT ironic?) that a special treasury of puppies came into the world.  Remember, I think the word "litter" is just not appropriate when describing a group of puppies.  I prefer treasury.  Anyway, a treasury of 1girl puppy and 5 boys arrived, and WHO KNEW that my life would never be the same!

Elroy, also known as the FG (Friendly Giant) arrived in our home and Einstein and I were still bigger than him.  But not for long.

I was NOT impressed when he arrived.  And I quickly told him that I commanded respect.  And the FG avoided me for a short period.  Actually I suppose in wasn't all THAT short.  It took several months for me really to warm up to him. I have yet to allow him to style my hair the way that he does with Einstein, but he can lie within inches of me while I chew a bone and I won't take his head off.  I'd say that's progress!

We continue to learn a lot about Picards.   I don't know if they are all alike, but I can tell you that Elroy loves to leap and pounce, he doesn't avoid puddles, he is excellent at excavation work, and he pays little to no attention to bunnies or cats.  But he IS a bird watching king.  He exhibits serious namenesia if let off leash - but DOES come back when he wants to.  He takes about a tenth of the time to groom that we PONs do.  He examines treats and has to decide whether he REALLY wants them.  He will play with them and roll on them.  In FACT, last night he got to go to the PET store as a pre-birthday surprise.  He has been before so he wasn't totally shell shocked like the last time he went.  This time, he attempted to steal things from shelves and bins and when my human went to pay for some items, he put his paws on the counter as IF he was going to pay.  He showered the clerk in kisses.  So she gave him a treat.  Which he proceeded to roll on.

He has grown into quite the strapping lad - and whenever he goes out, people ask what he is.  If he's not behaving, she says he is a Coy-wolf or a wolfhoundoodle.  If he is behaving, she tells the truth.  She does the same thing with us PONs.  We have been called Polish Highland Doodles a number of times.

But back to my French brother. Today we celebrate his birth, his entertaining ways and his ability to create his own brand of naughty - which takes the pressure off me!!!  Happy birthday bro - cheers to many more!!!!